FOREST ENTOMOLOGY. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It may appear somewhat paradoxical to say that "Forest Entomology" 

 differs from the "Entomology of the Forest." Under the latter head- 

 ing the major portion of the science of entomology may be included, 

 inasmuch as the student of general entomology, or the specialist of 

 any particular group, will often find the forest one of his happiest 

 hunting-grounds. This is due not only to the varieties of arboreal 

 food and the varied forest flora, but to the game-preserving laws or 

 customs continually furnishing carrion food, and demanding a varied 

 cover for game-birds and feathered songsters, which doubtless act as 

 sources of dissemination for many species of insects with comparatively 

 poor powers of locomotion. With regard to " Forest Entomology," 

 even in its widest sense Ave can only embrace directly all insects pre- 

 ferring an arboreal diet, and indirectly all other insects parasitic on 

 arboreal-feeding insects. 



As the field of natural history becomes broader and broader, 

 natural science tends more and more towards specialisation ; and 

 while it is essential that the young student should gain a compre- 

 hensive view of kindred subjects, the adult who aspires to pose as 

 a public instructor cannot make progress in any branch without 

 limited concentration. Perhaps this narrowing is more essential in 

 entomology than in many other branches of natural history. 



The science of entomology may be studied from two different 

 aspects viz., from that of the collector, and of the economic ento- 

 mologist or investigator. 



The collector, Avho generally limits his work to one or two groups, 



A 



